Railway switch lock control system



Dec. 18, 1956 G. J. JOHANEK RAILWAY SWITCH LOCK CONTROL SYSTEM Filed Nov. 12, 1952 INVENTOR. G.J. JOHANEK 21, yflW HIS ATTORNEY M21042 JOEkZOO mom mmn5m ZO RAILWAY SWITCH ZLOCK. CQNTRUL SYSTEMi George J. .lolianek, Rochester, Ni Y., assignor to General Railway SignalCompany;Rochester, N. Y. Application November,- 12',"1952, Serial -N0. ,2 2:0 ,066v 3 Claims; (GI: 246-146)" Thisinventionrelates, to systems for safeguarding railway trafiic where" hand operated track switches are located along the main tracks of railroads, and itmore particularly pertains toan' improved system of' signal control .wh'erein' ,electric locks for hand operated track switches are involved.

Many railroadsihave'elect 'c lock protected hand operated track. switches in their" main line tracksfor-conmeeting with storage and industrialtracks, passing sidings, and. the like, The release ofthe electric locks is commonly provided by joint action onthe-partof a traffic control operator at a remote point, and a trainman operating a,manual control; leveron the electric lock. As a safeguard for mainline trafiic when-a train is to move off of a spur track onto the main, it is provided that signalstgoverning' traflic through the track switch on the maintrack are put to 'stopupon the initiation of operation ofthe switch lock; Conventional practice is-to put suchtsignals to stop, either-upon theopeni-ng of the ,door of the switch lock'jmechanism, orupon initially moving the manual control lover of the switch lock mechanism fo'r the release of the lock. It is also generally provided, after release of a switch lock, that a check be made of restoration of the lock to its *full'normal' position, .with" the door closed; beforeamain line signal can again be cleared. These two requisites are met conventionally by including normal contacts of the lockmechanism circuit controller, and'the door contacts of'the mechanism, in the energizing circuit for the switch repeater relay of the associated switch.

Under the above described signal control system, there isthe possibility that a trainman mayatteinptto operate the look without the, cooperation of thetrafiic" control operator, and thus cause the main line signals to be put to stop; even.though the lock'handle' can be operated only part, way, because the release of the-lock 'is not permitted by the traffic control operator at that time. The systerrL according to the present invention, however, obviates. this possibility by-a stick circuitswitch and. lock repeater relay which governs the control circuits ofv main line signals governing traific throughthe track'switch. This relay cannot be released to put the signals controlled thereby to stop 'until the remotely controlled energization of the electric lock- 'for' the track switch by a traffic control operator.- The presentinvention, however, stillv retains, the feature of the switch repeater relaychecking, in its pickup circuit, restoration to the normal conditions of the switch lock mechanism.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide circuit means for putting main line signals: governingwpassage through a locked hand throw switch to stoponly after supervisory release of the look, as compared to the putting ofthese signals to stop in response to the sole attempt of a trainman to release the lock.

Anotherobject of the present invention is to check restoration to normal conditions of the mechanism of an electric lo'ck in'the pickup circuit of a switch and lock repeater relay, but mainta-in'the switchrepeater 2,774,863 Patented Dec. 18, 1956 relaypicked' 'up' unti1 re1ease-of thQ'lOCk by the supervisory control of} atrafiiccontrol operator, irrespectiveof any sole attempt; bya-trainrnanito release the lock,

Other objects; purposes; and characteristic features of the present invention will be in part obvious from the accompanying drawing and in part pointed outas the description of the invention'progresses.

In describing the invention indetail, reference is made tothe accompanying drawing in which similar letter reference characters are used to designate parts having similar functions, and in which the circuit organization illustrated is for the control' of an electric lock and signals associated with an outlyingtraclg switch.

The accompanying drawing illustrating the present invention in a schematic manner is more particularly'organized for; simplicity-in the disclosure of the principles and'mode of operation ofthe present; invention, rather than to attempt to disclose the specific construction and arrangement of parts which may be desirable; in the practice, of the invention: Thus symbols are employed in the conventional manner for the various devices and sources of electric current." The symbols (-1-) and are used toindicate the connections-tothe positive and negative, terminals respectively of suitable batteries or other sources" of*direct-current.-

' Althoughthe present' invention is illustrated in-the;

tically' any 'outlyin'g hand operated track switch for either single" or--double track. The mainstretch of track illustrated isdivided'intotracksections inthe usual manner, and two double intermediate automatic signal locations are illustrated, wherein signals ,Zandg 4 governeastbound,, trafii: (to ,theyrightg) and signals 3 'and 5 govern westboundltraffic'. (w the left). Signal 2-governs trafiic through track sections, 2T,- RT, 'and' 5T respectivelyfor ,eastboundtrafiic, an outlying switch -W being provided for tying' aspur track'tothe main in tra k in the track section. ST;

The switch Wflhas associated therewith; an electric switch lock'mechanism, which-may be of any' suitable type, such as is disclosed, for example, in'the Stephenson patent, No. 1,710,668, datedwApril 23, 1929. In this type of switch lock a lock rod 10 is connected to the switch, points and1is retainedlin a normal position by a lock plunger, 11, locking the switch points in such normal position. The switch vpoints cannot be. moved to the reverse position (in a direction. indicated by the arrow associated with the lock rod 10) until the lock plunger 11 has beenuraised by alock handle LH, This lock handleLH' can be moveda limited amount, opening certain normally closed contacts, and closing. certain normally open contacts (not shown)v as required for vdifferent circuits to be controlled; but the operation of the lock'handle LH is limited by the locking dog 39 which prevents,the release of the lock rod 10 until theelectric lock winding WL is' energized to move the locking dog 39. toa, non-engaging position. When. thelocking dog 39 is lifted by the energization of the winding WL, the lock handlev LH can be moved in a counterclockwise direction to raise the lock plunger 11 to disengage the lock plunger from the-hole in thelock rod 10, and permit hand, operation of the, track switch to its reverse position. It'will be noted that-- they lock handle LH, cannot be returned to-itsnormalrpositionwuntili the track switch'W has been returned-to its normal position in alignment for mainline trafilc because; with-the lock rod.10 .in a reverse position, there-isno hole through which the lock plunger -11 may passe Also associated with the switch W is a suitable switch circuit controlled SCC having contacts which are closed only when the switch is in a full normal position.

Although the signals are illustrated as being of the conventional searchlight type, other types of signals commonly employed in practice could as well be used.

The track sections 2T, RT, and ST have track relays ZTR, RTR, and STR respectively associated therewith in the usual manner.

A relay WLZ is provided at the outlying track switch W, subject to remote control by direct wire, or by code communication in a centralized traffic control system, according to the requirements of practice. A suitable switch lock control lever WLL is illustrated as a manual control lever subject to operation by a traffic control operator at a point remote from the outlying track switch W, such as at a central office.

A switch and lock repeater stick relay WLPS is provided at the location of the outlying switch as a repeater of the normal conditions of the switch lock and the switch points of the outlying switch W.

The control circuits are illustrated for the opposing signals 2 and as being of the conventional APB type as shown for example in the Patent No. 2,125,243, dated July 26, 1938, in order to illustrate how these signals are governed by the switch lock for the outlying track switch Yellow-green signal repeater relays 3YGP and 4YGP are provided in the usual manner at the respective signal locations for governing the polarity of energization of the signal control circuits for the signals 5 and 2 respectively.

Inasmuch as the signalling system illustrated is for a single track APB system, a conventional directional stick relay S is provided at each signal location for governing energization of the line circuit extending to the next signal in the rear for use in governing signal indications for following trains.

In. addition to the conventional signal control line circircuit, east and west traflic direction relays EF and WP are provided at the location of the outlying switch W for use in governing the control of the locking of such switch.

Having thus described the general organization of the system according to the present invention, more detail consideration of the organization will be given upon consideration of the mode of operation of the system under typical operating conditions.

Operation Normally, with the trackway unoccupied by trains and with the outlying track switch W in its normal position and locked, the switch and lock repeater relay WLPS is in 1ts energized position, permitting the clearing of the opposing signals 2 and 5 according to conventional signalling practice.

The stick circuit by which the relay WLPS is normally energized includes back contact 19 of relay WLZ, normally closed contact 20 of the switch circuit controller SCC, front contact 21 of relay WLPS, back contact 22 of the switch lock control armature, normal contact 23 of the switch circuit controller SCC, and the winding of relay WLPS. The pickup circuit for the relay WLPS is normally closed, but is shunted in part by the stick contact 21 in the circuit just described. This pickup circuit for relay WLPS extends from (l), including back contact 19 of relay WLZ, normally closed contact 20 of the switch circuit controller SCC, normally closed contact 24 of the door operated contact mechanism of the switch lock, rotary circuit controller contact 25 of the switch lock which is closed only with the switch lock handle in its normal position as shown, contact 22 of the armature of the switch lock when in its deenergized position, normally closed contact 23 of the switch circuit controller SCC and winding of relay WLPS, to

Signal 2 for governing eastbound traffic is normally energized over its line circuit in accordance with the signal 4 being clear. The circuit for the energization of the winding of signal 2 extends from including front contact 26 of relay 4YGP, front contact 27 of relay 5TR, front contact 28 of relay WLPS, front contact 29 of relay RTR, front contact 30 of relay ZTR, winding of signal 2 and front contact 31 of relay 4YGP, to

Signal 5 is similarly normally energized by a line circuit extending from including front contact 32 of relay 3YGP, front contact 33 of relay 2TR, front contact 34 of relay RTR, front contact 35 of relay WLPS, front contact 36 of relay 5TR, wnding of signal 5 and front contact 37 of relay 3YGP, to

Front contact 45 of relay 38 is to apply energy to the line circuit for westbound traffic following trains when a train has just passed signal 3. Front contact 46 of relay 48 serves a similar purpose for the opposite direction of traflic.

For considering a first typical condition for the release of the locking of outlying track switch W, it will be assumed that an eastbound train is proceeding along the main track and comes to a stop in the release track section RT in direct approach of the outlying track switch W. Under these conditions, the signals 2 and 5 are both at stop by reason of their signal control circuits being opened by the front contacts 29 and 34 of the release track relay RTR.

The usual procedure is for the trainman to phone into the centralized traffic control office and ask the operator of the centralized trafiic control machine for the release of the looking for the track switch W. The trainman then opens the door of the switch lock mechanism case, and the electromagnetically operated latch of the locking mechanism will then become actuated upon the operation by the traffic control operator of the control switch WLL to its right-hand position. Such operation on the part of the operator at the remote control point causes the picking up of the relay WLZ by the energization of an obvious circuit including the contact 38 of the door operated switch circuit controller (closed only when the door is open).

With the track section RT occupied by the train, with the door of the lock mechanism open, and with permission for release of the lock having been designated by the operator of the traflic control machine at a remote point, the winding WL of the electric lock becomes energized so as to lift the latch 39 and permit the rotation in a counterclockwise direction of the lock handle LH to raise the plunger 11 and disengage the locking for the track switch W. The circuit by which the winding WL of the lock mechanism is energized at this time extends from including back contact 40 of relay RTR, front contact 41 of relay WLZ, contact 42 of the door operated circuit controller (closed only when the door is open) and winding WL of the lock mechanism, to

With the picking up of the locking dog 39, the lever LH can be fully rotated in a counterclockwise direction to withdraw the lock plunger 11 from the lock rod 10 and thus permit the hand operation of the track switch W to its reverse position.

After the train has proceeded into the spur track over the track switch W, the track switch is then restored to its normal position, and the lever LH is rotated clockwise to the normal position in which it is illustrated, thus causing the plunger 11 to be restored to a locking position with respect to the switch lock rod 10.

Upon restoration of the lever LI-I to its normal position, the above described pickup circuit for the relay WLPS is closed, and relay WLPS becomes picked up. Upon the picking up of this relay, the signal control circuits become closed for signals 2 and 5 by reason of the closure of front contacts 28 and 35 respectively of relay WLPS, thus completing restoration to normal conditions of the switch lock and signal control organization after passage of a train as has been described.

awn

a e-vases- The condition willinow be considered wheretherelease of the lock for the outlying switch W is desired upon movement of a train-off of the, spur track and into the main track. Under these' conditions, a trainmanphones into the oflice of. the centralized traffic control operator for permission to move out into the main track, and then proceeds as before lay-openingthe doorof the switch lock mechanism and rotating the handle LHv in a clockwise direction to raise the lock plunger 11 from its posit-ion of engagement with the switch lock rod 10.

It will be noted that the above described pickup circuit for the switch and lock repeater relay WLPS is opened upon the opening of the door of the lock mechanism by the opening of contact 24, and upon initial movement of the lever LH by the opening of contact 25 of the rotary switch circuit controller. The relay WLPS, however, remains picked up until action has been taken on the part of the traffic control operator to permit the energization of the winding WL of the electric lock. In other words, because of the stick circuit for relay WLPS including back contact 19 of relay WLZ, normally closed contact 20 of the switch circuit controller SCC, front contact 21 and back contact 22 of the armature of the electromagnet WL, and normally closed contact 23 of circuit controller SCC, the relay WLPS is not dropped away to put signals on the main track to stop until supervisory control for the release from the locking position of the electric lock is received. In this way, a trainman is prevented from causing the signals of the main track to be put to stop before he has received permission by supervisory control for the release of the locking for the track switch W.

Upon receiving supervisory control in the form of pick up energy for the relay WLZ, the winding WL of the switch lock becomes energized provided that the traffic direction relays EF and WP are both picked up to indicate that there is no train in the immediate vicinity proceeding in either direction. These relays are picked up provided the signal control circuit for their respective directions are energized, thus indicating that there is no train present between the opposing signals 2 and 5. With these relays picked up, the winding WL of the switch lock mechanism can become energized upon the picking up of relay WLZ. The circuit for the energization of winding WL of the switch lock extends from including front contact 43 of relay EF, front contact 44 of relay WF, front contact 41 of relay WLZ, contact 42 of the door operated contactor, and winding WL of the switch lock, to

Upon the energization of the winding WL of the switch lock, the switch lock armature is attracted so as to actuate the locking dog 39 to its disengaging position and open back contact 22 in the stick circuit for the relay WLPS. Relay WLPS has, however, had its stick circuit deenergized just prior to this time by the opening of back contact 19 of relay WLZ. Thus, relay WLPS becomes dropped away, and the dropping away of this relay opens the circuits for the signals 2 and governing passage through the track switch W by the opening of contacts 28 and 35 respectively.

Full counterclockwise operation of the lock handle LH is now permitted, and the lock plunger 11 can be thus disengaged from the hole in the lock rod so as to permit the hand operation of the track switch.

When the track switch W is restored to its normal position after passage of the train into the main track, the relay WLPS is again picked up by the energization of its pickup circuit as has been described, and the picking up of this relay completes restoration of the system to normal.

Having thus described one specific embodiment of the present invention as applied to the control of an outlying track switch associated with a main stretch of single track, it is desired to be understood that this form of the invention has been presented more particularly to facilitate the disclosure of the present invention as to the principles and mode of operation involved, rather than to limit the present invention to the specific form shown; and it is to be further understoodthat various modifications, adaptations, .andalterations may be applied to the specific formshown in accordance with the requirements of practice; eXcepta-s limited by the-appending claims.

What I- cla-inris':

1. In a signal control system havingasignalgovern ingtraffic through a'hand throw switch, an ele'ctriclock mechanismconnected to said-hand operated-track switch, said electric lock. mechanism having alockplunger operable between a full-normal locking position and-a releasing position by manually operable lock control handle, said electric lock having an electromagnet operating a locking dog and effective when the electromagnet is deenergized to permit only limited movement of said lock control handle away from said full normal position, a lock circuit controller operated by said lock control handle having a normal contact closed only when said handle is in said full normal position, a switch circuit controller connected to said track switch having a normal contact closed only when the switch points are in their full normal positions, a switch and lock repeater relay, a pickup circuit for said switch and lock repeater relay including in series said normal contact of said lock circuit controller and said normal contact of said switch circuit controller, stick circuit means for maintaining said switch and lock repeater relay energized, said stick circuit means being efiective to maintain said switch and lock repeater relay picked up irrespective of said normal contact of said lock circuit controller, and said stick circuit means being subject to deenergization upon the energization of said electromagnet, and signal control means for governing said signal including contacts of said switch and lock repeater relay.

2. In a signal control system having a signal governing traffic through a hand throw switch, an electric lock mechanism connected to said hand throw track switch, said electric lock mechanism having a lock plunger operable between a full normal locking position and a releasing position by a manually operable lock control handle, said electric lock mechanism having an electromagnet operating a locking dog effective when the electromagnet is deenergized to permit only limited movement of said lock control handle away from said full normal position, a lock circuit controller operated by said lock control handle having a normal contact closed only when said handle is in said full normal position, a door contactor operated by the door of said mechanism having a normally closed contact opened by the opening of the door, a switch circuit controller connected to the track switch and having a normal contact closed only when the track switch is in its full normal position, a switch and lock repeater relay, a pickup circuit for said switch and lock repeater relay including said normally closed contact of said door contactor and said normal contact of said lock circuit controller and said normal contact of said switch circuit controller, stick circuit means for maintaining said switch and lock repeater energized, said stick circuit means being effective to maintain said switch and lock repeater relay picked up irrespective of said normal contact of said lock circuit controller and said normally closed contact of said door circuit controller, said stick circuit means being subject to deenergization upon the energization of said electromagnet, and signal control means for governing said signal including a contact of said switch and lock repeater relay.

3. In a signal control system having an electric lock mechanism mechanically connected to a hand operated track switch, said electric lock mechanism having a lock plunger operable between a full normal locking position and a releasing position by a manually operable lock control handle, said electric lock mechanism having an electromagnet operating a locking dog effective when the electromagnet is deenergized to permit only limited movement of said lock control handle away from said full normal position, a lock circuit controller operated by said lock control handle having a normal contact closed only when said handle is in its full normal position, a switch and lock repeater relay, a switch circuit controller connected to said track switch having a normal contact closed only when the switch points are in their full normal positions, a pickup circuit for said switch and lock repeater relay including said normal contact of said lock circuit controller and said normal contact of said switch circuit controller, and stick circuit means for maintaining said switch and lock repeater relay energized, said stick circuit means being effective to maintain said switch and lock 10 repeater relay picked up irrespective of the opening of said normal contact of said lock circuit controller, and said stick circuit means being subject to deenergization upon the energization of said electromagnet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,391,976 Jacoblls Jan. 1, 1946 

